10. Sawyer

Chapter 10

Sawyer

" D efinitely," I answered. The moment we stepped inside Casey's apartment, his lips touched mine, and a spark ignited deep within me.

Just like that, all the restraint I'd been holding onto snapped. I slid my hand up his back, pulling him closer until there wasn't an inch of space between us.

The feel of his body against mine sent a surge of heat through me.

I couldn't help but deepen the kiss, letting my tongue explore the warm, familiar taste of him. Casey responded eagerly.

Threading my hands through his hair, I tugged just enough to make him groan. It wasn't enough. I wanted more—needed more.

I couldn't stop myself from running my hands down his sides, feeling the muscles tense under his shirt.

Desperate to feel his skin against mine, I slipped my fingers under his shirt.

His stomach was warm and smooth, and I traced patterns on his skin, feeling the way his breath hitched when I touched him.

Casey pulled back slightly, just enough to catch his breath, his lips red and swollen from our kiss.

His eyes were dark, filled with the same desire that was coursing through me.

"Do you want a beer or something?" he asked, his voice husky and low.

I shook my head, not wanting to break the connection between us.

"I just want you," I said, my voice rough with need.

Casey smiled, a slow, lazy grin that sent another jolt of heat straight to my core.

"I'm all yours," he murmured.

I leaned in to capture his lips. This time, the kiss was slower, more deliberate, and once again I savored the taste of him.

Casey let out a low moan. Hearing him, need continued building inside me. I slid my hands up his chest, pushing his shirt up as I went, desperate to get it off him.

"Bedroom?" I asked, my voice rough.

I pulled back slightly, my hands still resting on his hips.

He nodded, his eyes dark with lust.

"Bedroom," Casey agreed, taking my hand and leading me down the hall.

We barely made it to the door before I was on him again, pressing him against the wall as I kissed him with everything I had.

I couldn't stop touching him. My hands were everywhere—on his back, in his hair, sliding down to cup his ass as I pulled him closer.

The friction of our bodies rubbing together was almost too much, and I could feel the tightness in my jeans becoming unbearable.

Somehow, we made it to the bed, and I pushed Casey down onto the mattress.

Following him down, I straddled his hips. My hands were on his shirt now and he decided to help me along.

Then I took off my own shirt and tossed it aside before leaning down to kiss Casey again.

I groaned, the feel of his bare chest against mine making my head spin.

I needed to touch him, to feel every inch of his body against mine, and my hands roamed over his back, tracing the lines of muscle as I pulled him closer.

Casey broke the kiss long enough to reach for the button of my jeans, his fingers deftly undoing it before he slid the zipper down.

I pulled my jeans off, tossing them aside. Casey did the same.

The sight of him, bare and beautiful, was almost too much, and I had to bite back a groan as he pulled me down to kiss me again.

I slid my hands down his chest, his ribs, dipping lower, teasing him. I could feel the heat of his body and realized I needed more—I needed him.

Moving my hands lower, I cupped Casey's ass and pulled him closer. The feel of his hard cock rubbing against mine made me growl in anticipation.

I grounded against Casey, the friction almost too much to bear.

"Sawyer," Casey breathed, his voice rough with want. "I need you."

I pulled back slightly, and looked down at my human.

"Same here," I told him, leaning down to kiss him again.

He groaned into my mouth. I wrapped my hand around his thickening cock, loving the sound of his gasp.

I stroked his dick slowly, my touch firm and gentle.

The scar on his arm surfaced in my mind again, and I decided I wanted Casey to completely forget about the ex that hurt him.

"Please," he whispered, his voice hoarse.

I pulled him closer, needing more—needing everything. Still stroking his cock, I kissed him again.

I could feel the heat building inside me, the tension coiling tighter and tighter with every touch, and I knew neither of us wasn't going to last much longer.

Snatching the lube from the pocket of my jeans, I returned to Casey. I hefted his legs over myself shoulders, lubed him for my access.

Casey moaned, and the sound was like music to my ears. Deeming him ready, I entered him, slow and steady.

Once I was inside, I started on a rhythm that suited us both.

"I can't get enough of you," I murmured against his neck.

"I feel the same way," Casey whispered, grabbing my face to kiss me again.

In that moment, everything else faded away. All that mattered was him—Casey. The way he touched me, the way he made me feel.

We moved together, lost in the heat of the moment.

The need inside me was almost too much. At my last push, Casey came, emptying his jizz on my stomach and abs.

I entered him a few more times, before climaxing. My mind blanked and the room fell out of my sight.

Spent, I pulled out of him and lay next to him. I knew one thing for certain. He was mine. Completely and utterly mine.

My inner wolf howled in agreement. But even as that certainty took root, a lingering doubt crept in, gnawing at the edges of my mind.

Was I strong enough to protect him? Could I be the mate he deserved?

The question hung in the air, heavy and ominous, and I couldn't shake it off.

The thought of failing him, of not being able to shield him from harm, sent a cold shiver down my spine.

I wanted to believe that I was enough, that I could be everything he needed—but could I really?

I found myself tightening my hold on him, as if holding him close could somehow keep the fears at bay.

"You look fine," I reassured Casey as he tugged at his shirt for the third time, his fingers fidgeting nervously with the hem.

"Do I? Maybe I should change my shirt," Casey muttered, glancing toward the door like he might make a break for it.

I couldn't help but smile. My human was absolutely adorable.

Last night had been incredible—better than I could have imagined.

When morning came, we had planned on cooking breakfast together, just the two of us in the kitchen, enjoying a slow, quiet morning.

But then Cooper texted, asking if I wanted to grab a bite to eat. And in that moment, I decided it was time.

Time to introduce Casey to my best friend and lead alpha. Casey was understandably nervous, though.

I stepped closer and grabbed his shoulders, pulling him toward me. I kissed him, hoping to ease some of his anxiety.

"You look perfect," I told him, my voice firm and reassuring.

Casey sighed, the tension in his shoulders loosening just a bit.

"Okay," he said, though there was still a flicker of doubt in his eyes.

I took his hand in mine, threading our fingers together, and led him into the diner. Cooper was already inside, sitting in his usual booth with a cup of coffee in hand.

When Cooper saw us approach, he smiled and got to his feet, setting his cup down on the table.

"Cooper, I'd like you to meet someone," I said. "This is Casey. Casey, this is Cooper—my lead alpha and best friend."

Casey reached out to shake Cooper's hand, his grip firm but a little tense. I could tell he was still nervous, and I couldn't help but think of the scar on his arm again.

Hopefully, introducing him to more of my pack members would help him feel more at ease around shifters.

"It's good to finally meet you, Casey," Cooper said, his tone warm and friendly. "I understand you invited Sawyer to the next town meeting?"

Cooper, always straight to the point. I shot him a wry look.

"Going straight for the jugular, huh?" I asked Cooper.

"It's okay, Sawyer," Casey interjected, giving my hand a squeeze. "That's right. I'm hoping Sawyer could clear some things up for the other townsfolk."

Cooper nodded thoughtfully.

"I really appreciate you inviting us, Casey. I know that when the pack was under Ryder's leadership, the relationship between the pack and the human community was a bit tense. But I'm hoping to change that," Cooper said.

We ordered some coffee and food, and as we talked, I could see Casey slowly relaxing.

The tension in his shoulders eased, and Casey began to smile more, engaging with Cooper in a way that made my heart swell with pride.

It was clear he was trying, despite his nerves, and I couldn't be more proud of him for that.

Eventually, Casey had to excuse himself to open his shop.

"I'll text you later?" I asked, leaning in to give him a quick kiss on the mouth.

Casey nodded, his cheeks flushing slightly. "It was nice meeting you, Cooper."

"Same here," Cooper said, watching as Casey walked out of the diner.

Once Casey was gone, Cooper turned to me with a knowing grin.

"Miles and I were wondering why you keep taking Benny to the pet grooming store. So Casey's the reason?" Cooper asked.

"He is," I admitted, feeling a bit sheepish.

Cooper was wearing his friend-mask, not his lead alpha-mask, so I felt comfortable enough to share my fears.

I went on, "but part of me wonders if I'm good enough."

Cooper's smile faded, replaced by a look of concern.

"What do you mean?" Cooper asked.

"I'm not exactly at my best," I said, glancing down at my leg. "My leg…"

"Your leg is completely fine," Cooper cut in, his tone dismissive.

I ignored his comment, knowing he was just trying to be supportive.

"And then there's Garth. He's been causing trouble for Casey," I said.

I briefly explained Garth's connection to Casey's store, though I didn't go into too much detail.

Cooper already had enough on his plate. Garth was my problem to deal with. Cooper frowned, clearly troubled.

"Garth's becoming a handful," Cooper admitted. "He got into a fight with Griffin last night at the pack house. When I arrived, Garth said it was just a friendly competition. Griffin said the same."

I clenched my fists under the table, anger bubbling up inside me. I knew Griffin had only said that out of pride.

Griffin wouldn't want anyone to think Garth had gotten the better of him.

But the fact that Garth had the nerve to challenge Griffin—and in the pack house, after picking a fight with Lee, no less—infuriated me.

"Garth's testing boundaries," I said, my voice low and tense. "And he's using Casey to get to me."

Cooper leaned forward, his expression serious.

"If he becomes a real threat, we'll deal with him," Cooper said.

I shook my head. "No. I'll deal with him. This is personal, Coop. I'll handle it," I told him.

Cooper studied me for a moment, his eyes searching mine. Finally, he nodded.

"Alright. But don't hesitate to ask for help if you need it," Cooper said.

I nodded, grateful for his understanding. "Thanks."

We finished our meal in relative silence, both of us lost in our own thoughts.

I couldn't stop thinking about Casey, about the potential danger Garth posed to him.

I would protect him, no matter what it took.